Archive for December, 2009

My New Yearly Base Income 2010: $18,900 (plus I will be getting money from my husband, new adventure job and beach job), so not sure what my total income for 2010 will be. It is pretty scary because my regular base pay, which comes out to $1575/month doesn't cover all of our monthly needs, so I need to find extra income.

Last Years Total Income 2009: $50,445

Goals to accomplish this year.

The main goal is to learn how to live on such a small amount and not struggle or get behind on any bills. So, instead of paying all my bills on the 3rd of each month, I will have to split them up and pay what is due, when it comes due, if I have the money.

The second goal is to become debt free which is going to be a little harder. I will only be able to pay a few dollars over the minimums, but I will be putting my income tax return completely towards my debt, as long as I am not behind on any other bills.

The Micro Center bill I want to pay off first in the next couple months. I will be pulling money from one of my savings accounts to help accomplish this goal. The interest rate is so high on this that it needs to be paid off. My other savings accounts will be kept for emergencies and property taxes.

After the Micro Center bill, then Chase, then Discover, then Art Van.

Now that my income has been reduced drastically, I will need to make some extra income. Late last year, I mentioned different areas in which I could work. what I came up with is:

Legal Secretary Temp. I used to work for a lot of law firms in the past. This past month, I was visiting an attorney friend and mentioned that I might come back to work. He said to let him know. But, I don't want to work Monday through Friday and be gone from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so instead I thought temping would be a good start. I revamped my Resume and worked on a cover letter about my interest in working as a temp for the law firms that I used to do regular business with. I will fill in when their secretaries go on vacations, maternity leave or are sick. I am sending out my Resumes with a cover letter this month (January).

My house still needs some work:
*Finish re-doing some gardens/ landscaping. I have pretty much have everything I need for this.
*Redo my main bathroom. It needs a larger fan to pull out the moisture, so my bathroom has some mold issues. I need to replace some drywall and repaint.
*I would like a hot tub, so I will keep my eye out for a good deal. Maybe I can find a trade or free one that needs some attention on craigslist.

To become more self-sufficient:
*Work towards growing more of my own food, harvesting, preseving and canning.
*Add to my pantry and freezer
*Crochet some rag rugs.
*Keep up the composting, reuse, reduce and recycle thing.
*Save to pay cash for the items I need.
*Resolve to not use any more credit cards.

Completely organize my home and have a yard sale this year. I put a Page on my sidebar. It is not a finished list, it is just to get me started.

Once my organizing is done, I am having a Yard Sale. What doesn't sell will be donated or, depending on what it is, put on e-bay or craigslist. I will use this income for whatever the need may be at that time.

My Daughter's Graduation Party: We gave ourselves a budget of $500. She wants it to be vintage with vintage table clothes and such. There will be a Gradution Page on my sidebar after we sit down and make a plan. I already have most all the chafing dishes and plasticware.

Exercise program:
*Keep up my walking program. I love to walk different trails and hike in the woods, so this is something I will try to do often.
*Do more yoga which is offered free in town on Thursdays and Saturdays
*Do more weight lifting
*Do more dancing

Well, that is it for now. Hope everyone here at SA has a safe and fun New Year's Eve; and an even better 2010.

This past year, I did some more renovations to my home. Added a new deck, new wood floor in livingroom, re-painted the whole house, put cedar shake siding on part of the house, revamped some gardens, totaling $1,521.33